Echinopsis plant named &#39;Mardi Gras&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Echinopsis  cultivar named ‘Mardi Gras’ is disclosed, characterized by distinctive large flowers of golden yellow with a vermillion mid-stripe. Flowering occurs more than once between Spring and Fall, continuing as late as August or September. Plants have a distinctive upright morphology.  Echinopsis  is an ornamental cactus, useful as an indoor ornamental plant and outdoors in warm climates.

Latin name of the genus and species: Echinopsis hybrida.

Variety denomination: ‘MARDI GRAS’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new cultivar, Echinopsis ‘Mardi Gras’, was developed by the inventor, Renee O'Connell, as the result of a crossing made March 2012 as part of a planned breeding program. The seed parent variety is the unpatented proprietary variety referred to as Echinopsis hybrida ‘Yel 08, a member of the Chamaelobivia group of Echnopsis. The pollen parent is the unpatented proprietary variety Echinopsis hybrida ‘Wint 17’, a member of the Lobivia group. Echinopsis ‘Mardi Gras’ was selected by the inventor, Renee O Connell, in April of 2013 from a group of seedlings resulting from the 2012 crossing, at a commercial greenhouse in Vista. Calif.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘Mardi Gras’ was first performed in Vista, Calif., at a commercial greenhouse, by vegetative offsets, known as “peanuts” in April of 2013. ‘Mardi Gras’ has since produced multiple generations and has shown that the unique features of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘MARDI GRAS’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, day length, and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘MARDI GRAS’ These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘MARDI GRAS’ as a new and distinct Echinopsis cultivar:

1. Large flower in comparison to other similar Echinopsis hybrids of the Chamaelobivia group. 2. Petals exhibit a unique color combination of bright golden yellow gold contrasted by vivid vermillion mid-stripe 3. Extra petals contribute to a “cup and saucer” appearance of the flower 4. Flowering occurs at repeatedly times during the flowering season, rather than only one time, as compared to some other Echinopsis hybrids. Plant still flowering late August. 5. Very upright habit in contrast to many other Echinopsis hybrids with prostrate or pendulous habits.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘MARDI GRAS’ are similar to plants of the seed parent, in most horticultural characteristics, however, plants of the new cultivar ‘MARDI GRAS’ differ in the following;

1. ‘Mardi Gras’ produces flowers with underside of petals a contrasting color, whereas ‘RQ 17’ produces flowers of one color. 2. ‘Mardi Gras’ produces thicker apical spines than Echinopsis hybrid ‘RQ 17’. 3. ‘Mardi Gras’ is more floriferous than Echinopsis hybrid ‘RQ 17’. 4. ‘Mardi Gras’ produces more offsets than Echinopsis hybrid ‘RQ 17’. 5. The flowers of ‘Mardi Gras’, have more petals per flower, than those of Echinopsis hybrid ‘RQ 17’.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘MARDI GRAS’ are similar to plants of the pollen parent, in most horticultural characteristics, however, plants of the new cultivar ‘MARDI GRAS’ differ in the following;

1. ‘Mardi Gras’ has larger flowers than Echinopsis hybrid ‘KK 03’. 2. ‘Mardi Gras’ is more resistant to the pathogen Bipolaris cactivora (Helminthosporium cactivorum) than is Echinopsis hybrid ‘KK 03’ 3. The flowers of Echinopsis hybrid ‘Mardi Gras’, due to the extra petals per flower, are more double-flowered than those of Echinopsis hybrid ‘KK 03’. 4. The flowers of the Echinopsis hybrid ‘Mardi Gras’ have at least two colors, whereas the flowers of the Echinopsis hybrid ‘KK 03’ are one color. 5. The flowers of the ‘Mardi Gras’ can occur in several, very heavy flushes of flowers over a long span of flowering of 6-7 months, whereas the flowers of the Echinopsis hybrid ‘KK 03’ occur in less heavy flushes, and the flowering span is only 3 months.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘MARDI GRAS’ are comparable to the unpatented, commercial variety Echinopsis ‘Fire Chief’. The two Echinopsis varieties are similar in most horticultural characteristics; however, the new variety ‘MARDI GRAS’ differs in the following:

1. Echinopsis hybrid ‘Mardi Gras’ produces flowers with at least two colors, whereas those of Echinopsis hybrid ‘Fire Chief’ are a monotone orange. 2. Echinopsis hybrid ‘Mardi Gras’ produces many more offsets than does Echinopsis hybrid ‘Fire Chief’, aiding in faster production of plants for commercial sales. 3. Echinopsis hybrid ‘Mardi Gras’ grows faster than does Echinopsis hybrid ‘Fire Chief’, accelerating production times in the commercial nursery. 4. The flower size of Echinopsis hybrid ‘Mardi Gras’ is larger than the flower size of Echinopsis ‘Fire Chief’ 5. Echinopsis hybrid ‘Mardi Gras’ exhibits several heavy flushes of flowers over a 6 to 7 month flowering span, whereas Echinopsis hybrid ‘Fire Chief’ does not produce these flower flushes, and the flowering span is only 1-2 months.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘MARDI GRAS’ can also be comparable to the unpatented commercial variety Echinopsis ‘Westfield Alba’. The two Echinopsis varieties are similar in most horticultural characteristics; however, the new variety ‘MARDI GRAS’ differs in the following:

1. Echinopsis hybrid ‘Mardi Gras’ produces much larger “peanuts” (vegetative offsets) than does Echinopsis ‘Westfield Alba’, aiding in producing a saleable plant faster. 2. Echinopsis hybrid ‘Mardi Gras’ grows at a faster rate than does Echinopsis hybrid ‘Westfield Alba’, thereby enhancing production and reducing production time. 3. Echinopsis hybrid ‘Mardi Gras’ grows with a more upright morphology, unlike the prostrate, pendulous habit of Echinopsis hybrid ‘Westfield Alba’. 4. Echinopsis hybrid ‘Mardi Gras’ produces flowers with at least 2 colors, whereas Echinopsis hybrid ‘Westfield Alba’ has monotone white flowers. 5. The flowers of Echinopsis hybrid ‘Mardi Gras’ are much larger than those of Echinopsis hybrid ‘Westfield Alba’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate in full color typical of plants of Echinopsis ‘Mardi Gras’ grown in a greenhouse in Vista, Calif. Age of the plant photographed is approximately 5 months from a vegetative offset, “peanut”. The photographs were taken using conventional techniques and although colors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectance it is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques. All photographs provided by the breeder.

FIG. 1 illustrates in full color in close-up of the flower of Echinopsis hybrid ‘Mardi Gras’, grown in a greenhouse (approximately 3000 to 4000 foot candles) in Vista, Calif.

FIG. 2 illustrates in full color Echinopsis hybrid ‘Mardi Gras’ in 1 gallon pot with spent flowers.

FIG. 3 illustrates in full color the plant morphology of Echinopsis hybrid ‘Mardi Gras’

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, 2007, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations and measurements describe ‘Mardi Gras’ plants in a commercial shadehouse in Vista, Calif. Temperatures ranged from 34° F. to 90° F. night and day. No artificial light, photoperiodic treatments or chemical treatments were given to the plants. Natural light conditions were approximately 3000-4000 foot candles of light. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plant types.

-   Botanical classification: Echinopsis hybrida ‘MARDI GRAS’. -   Propagation:     -   -   Type of propagation typically used.—Vegetative offsets known             as “peanuts”.         -   Time to develop roots.—About 3 to 4 weeks at approximately             22° to 26° C.         -   Root description.—Densely fibrous. -   Plant:     -   -   Age of plant described.—Approximately 4 to 5 months.         -   Container size of the plant described.—9 cm.         -   General plant description.—Columnar, clump forming small             cactus.         -   Growth habit.—Upright, with a moderate quantity offsets             forming clumps from base.         -   Plant spread.—Approximately 6.0 to 9.0 cm, in a 4 inch pot             approximately 4 months old.         -   Plant height.—Approximately 9 to 20 cm.         -   Growth rate.—Rapid.         -   Quantity of offsets.—2 to 10 present on a 4 inch pot, at the             end of the growing season, in September.         -   Stem description.—Diameter: 4 to 5 cm. Height: 9 to 20 cm.             Color: Near RHS Green 143C.         -   Areole.—Spacing: Approximately 5 mm apart on rib. Quantity:             Approximately 500 per mature stem.         -   Spine/thorn description.—Arrangement: Spines radially             arranged. Average 12 ribs of spines vertically linear,             nearly straight, minor spiral. Ribs spaced approximately 6             to 10 mm apart. Central spine approximately 6 mm, colored             near Greyed-Purple 187A. Radial spines approximately 3 to 4             mm, colored near Orange-White 159C. Dense trichomes             approximately 1 mm colored near Greyed-Yellow 161C. -   Flower:     -   -   Natural flowering season.—Approximately Spring until Fall in             Southern California. Flowers constantly present, with 2 or             more flushes of abundant flowering occurring.         -   Inflorescence type and habit.—Open funnel form. Reduced tube             length open, radial flower of 2 to 3 whorls.         -   Flower longevity on plant.—1 to 2 days.         -   Quantity of flowers.—4 inch pot has approximately 3 to 7             flowers and buds.         -   Individual flower size.—Diameter: 9 cm. Flower tube length:             4 cm. Flower tube length: 2.5 cm. Flower tube diameter at             distal end: 2.4 cm. Flower tube diameter at proximal end:             1.0 cm.         -   Petals.—Petal arrangement: Double or triple whorl. Length:             Average range 2.8 to 3.2 cm. Width: 0.9 cm. Quantity:             Typically 20 to 25. Texture: Glabrous all surfaces.             Appearance: Very shiny upper surface, moderately shiny lower             surface. Margin: Entire. Tip shape: Cuspidate.         -   Color.—Petals: When opening: Upper surface: Centermost             streak near Red 46B, streak fading outwardly to Orange-Red             34A. Largest part of petal surface Yellow-Orange 14B, margin             Yellow 12A. Lower surface: Centermost streak near Red 46B,             streak fading outwardly to Orange-Red 34A. Largest part of             petal surface Yellow-Orange 14B, margin Yellow 12A. Fully             opened: Upper surface: Centermost streak near Red 44B,             streak fading outwardly to Red 44B and 44C. Largest part of             petal surface Yellow-Orange 14A, margin Yellow 12B. Center             streak covers approximately ⅓ of width. Lower surface:             Centermost streak near Red 44B, streak fading outwardly to             Red 44B and 44C. Largest part of petal surface Yellow-Orange             14A, margin Yellow 12B. Center streak covers approximately ⅓             of width. Fading: Petals fading to, upper and lower: Faint             centermost streak near Orange-Red N34B. Largest part of             petal surface Yellow 12A. Flower Tube Color: Inner Surface:             Near RHS Red 47B. Outer Surface: Near RHS Orange-White 159B,             flushed Greyed-Orange N170D.         -   Bud.—Shape: Oblong. Length: Approximately 7 cm. Diameter:             Approximately 3.5 cm. Color: Near RHS Yellow 11B, dotted             Orange 26A.         -   Peduncle.—Length: Average 2.0 to 3.0 cm. Diameter: 0.9 cm.             Color: Adaxial section near RHS Greyed-Green 194C. Abaxial             section near Orange-White 159A. Orientation: Straight,             occurring at approximately 15° angle from stem. Strength:             Very strong. Texture: Villous, moderately dense.         -   Sepals.—Shape: Quantity per flower: Average 10. Length:             Approximately shortest: Average 1.5 cm longest: 3.5 cm.             Width: Approximately 0.4 cm. Margin: Entire. Texture:             Glabrous and shiny all surfaces. Color, upper and lower             surfaces: Near RHS Greyed-Red 181C, faint center streak near             Greyed-Red 179C. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Stamens.—Number: Average range 120 to 230. Filament length:             Average 1.5 cm. Filament color: Near RHS Greyed-Red 181C and             181D, both colors present individually.         -   Anthers.—Shape: Oblong. Length: Approximately 1.5 mm. Color:             Near RHS Yellow 9C. Pollen: Color: Near RHS Yellow 10C.             Quantity: Scant.         -   Pistil.—Number: 1. Length: Approximately 5.0 cm. Style:             Length: Approximately 2.7 cm. Color: Near RHS Yellow-Green             144C. Stigma: Shape: 2 parted, each section folded inward.             Size: 8 mm long, 5 mm wide. Color: Near RHS Yellow-Green             154A. Ovary: Length: 12 mm. Shape: Narrow oblong. Texture:             Sericeous, sticky. Color: Near RHS Yellow-Green 145C. -   Other characteristics:     -   -   Fruits and seeds.—Seed pods broad ovate, average range 1.2             to 1.5 cm in length, about 9 mm in diameter. Colored near             Green 138B, sericeous, hairs near White 155A. Low to             moderate seed production, seeds colored near Greyed-Orange             177A.         -   Temperature tolerance.—USDA zones 10 and above.         -   Disease/pest resistance.—More resistant to the pathogen             Bipolaris cactivora (Helminthosporium cactivorum) Neither             resistance nor susceptibility to other pathogens or pests of             Echinopsis observed.         -   Drought tolerance.—Extreme tolerance for drought. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Echinopsis plant named ‘MARDI GRAS’ as herein illustrated and describ ed. 